1. REGARDING THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACK IN KENYA:

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1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE JOINT MEETING OF FOREGIN MINISTERS OF THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT (IGAD) AND THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY 12 OCTOBER 2013 ADDIS ABABA The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) met in Addis Ababa, on 12 th of October 2013, on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. In attendance were Burundi (represented informally by the Minister of Justice), Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. The Ministers deliberated on a range of issues that are of common interest and concern interest to the Eastern Africa Region. The Foreign Ministers were briefed on the consultations held by member States of IGAD and EAC at Ministerial level at the margins of the 68 th UNGA, and adopted the following decision after thorough discussions. 1

2 1. REGARDING THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACK IN KENYA: Condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, and left many more injured; Expressed deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims affected by this senseless tragedy; and further expressed solidarity to the people and Government of the Republic of Kenya at this time of national mourning; Reaffirmed their determination to support the efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators who planned, executed this heinous terrorist act; Reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate and coordinate their counter terrorism efforts, and to fight extremism in all its forms and manifestations; Proposed that the Chiefs of General Staff as well as Security and Intelligence of member states of IGAD and EAC meet as urgently as possible to set up a regional mechanism to collectively fight terrorism and coordinate their efforts; Ethiopia shall convey an invitation to hold the meeting of Chiefs of Security and Intelligence at the beginning of November; 2. REGARDING THE ISSUE OF ICC: Reiterated their unwavering commitment to fight impunity and promote the principles of rule of law and justice; Recalled the numerous decisions adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in relation to ICC; 2

3 Regreted that the repeated requests of the African Union to the ICC and the UNSC regarding the cases of the Sudan and Kenya have not been acted upon; Reiterated that the adoption of a new constitution, a reformed justice and a successful election in Kenya have created a propitious condition to allow for a national mechanism to investigate and prosecute the cases in relation to the post 2007 election violence in line with the principle of complementarity; Agreed to quickly prepare a plan and table it to our leaders to enable their involvement, consideration and guidance; Expressed serious concern that the proceedings of the ICC are impeding the Kenyan leaders from discharging their constitutional mandate and responsibilities; Supported the decision adopted by the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, which took place on the 12 th of October 2013, in Addis Ababa on the issue of Africa s relationship with the ICC; and underscored the need to follow through the implementation of this decision; Requested the African Union and the Contact Group, to be established through the same decision, to assist Kenya and the Sudan in their efforts to ensure fair treatment of their concerns and to share all relevant information to IGAD and EAC on the status of implementation of the AU decision; 3. REGARDING SOMALIA Welcomed, once again, the significant progress made in Somalia, on the political and security fronts. 3

4 Further welcomed the signing of the Agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Juba Interim Administration that brought a major breakthrough in resolving the impasse between the Federal Government of Somalia and the regions in the implementation of the provisional Federal Constitution; Urged the parties to demonstrate firm commitment in implementing the letter and spirit of the Agreement and called upon the international community to provide all the necessary support in this regard; Expressed deep concern on the serious threat that Al Shabaab/Al Qaeda continues to pose to the peace and security of Somalia and the Eastern Africa Region; Strongly condemned the recent terrorist and cowardly attacks perpetrated by Al Shabaab/Al Qaeda in Mogadishu and Nairobi and expressed solidarity with the Governments and peoples of Somalia and Kenya. Reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to fight Al-Shabab/Al Qaeda and bring stability to Somalia and welcomed the statement of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia declaring a total war against terrorism. 4. REGARDING REGIONAL INTEGRATION Stressed the importance of fast-tracking regional integration in the Eastern Africa Region in line with the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Regional Economic Communities; 4

5 Welcomed the increasing trend of consultation and collaboration between member States of IGAD and the EAC on issues of common interest to the East Africa region and the African continent as a whole; Mandated the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of IGAD and EAC to explore the possibility of merging these two Regional Economic Communities with a view to establish a bigger economic bloc to expedite the integration process and ensure greater economic development and prosperity to the peoples of the Eastern Africa region. Requested the Ministers to present their report to the Summit of Heads of State and Government of IGAD and EAC, which will be held at an appropriate time to be decided through consultation; Agreed to have a concept note to be drawn by a team of technical experts before the 1 st of November, and to be tabled to the Heads of States meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on a date to be determined shortly; and develop a road map subject to approval by the Heads of States; Note: Burundi was represented informally by the Justice Minister, while Tanzania and Djibouti were absent. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 12 th of October